A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, #1)(85)

“A secret child, what a scandal!” She seemed delighted, as if this bit of juicy gossip didn’t affect our entire lives.

“We’re not the only court with secret children,” I muttered through clenched teeth. “We’ve just been through Hengreave.”

“You mean my pathetic half-brother?” Queen Ingrid flashed her white canines. “If he could shift, he’d be battling down my door demanding the throne right now.” She shook her head, waving off the notion. “Men.

“Anyway, every family has its dramas, even the Marriels. So maybe don’t be so quick to bandy gossip about royals so readily, right, Calla?”

My brow furrowed.

“Oh, you don’t know.” The Queen smirked. “I’m sure Sawyn will enlighten you.”

“Why have you allied with her?” Grae demanded.

The side door opened and a servant bustled out, pausing when they saw the Queen . . . No, not a servant at all, but Hector. He bowed quickly, acting as if he’d stumbled out the wrong door, and darted back inside. As he left, he patted his coat pocket twice, a gesture that would go unnoticed by the Queen but told us he had the nitehock.

“Perhaps I see things in a way you do not,” Queen Ingrid mused, pursing her lips, and my muscles eased the tiniest bit that her assessing eyes hadn’t seen Hector for what he was, too.

“You let her Rooks run wild through your kingdom,” Grae said, pulling her focus back to him.

“The Rooks are indeed welcome in my court.” Queen Ingrid gestured around the dimly lit space. “They leave the Ice Wolves alone and make Luo think twice about claiming Taigos as his own.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because I ended our engagement with no other explanation than I simply wanted to.” Queen Ingrid grinned like a snow cat. “And that is tantamount to breaking a contract in pack terms. Luo wants his cut of Taigos.” She lifted her chin, straightening her crown as she did. “And I am disinclined to give it to him.”

“This would all be fixed by allowing first children to claim their thrones, regardless of their gender,” I said.

“Perhaps. But that isn’t the case, is it? So be careful, Princess,” Queen Ingrid said. “You’re speaking more like a sorceress than a Wolf.”

I shook my head. “I am a Wolf, therefore I’m speaking like a Wolf,” I snapped. “Just perhaps we’ve been letting the wrong Wolves decide what is and isn’t for the good of their packs for too long.”

“I like your mate, Graemon.” Queen Ingrid winked at him. “She’s stunning. You don’t deserve her.”

“I know,” Grae replied instantly.

The rumble of his voice made my toes curl in my boots.

“I’ve been hearing some wicked whispers from Damrienn. Your father’s Wolves were at my doorstep only two nights ago, looking for you and her. I wondered if you’d show up at my doorstep.”

They’d come to Taigos after Aiden’s death? Not straight back to Damrienn? My eyes widened as I wondered if they’d told Queen Ingrid that Grae had killed him. Perhaps we wouldn’t be walking out of this castle after all.

Grae clenched his fists. “What did they say?”

“You don’t know?” She practically bubbled with the thought of being the one to tell him. “You’re no longer the heir to Damrienn. Your father has declared you and your mate traitors.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. “He really did it.”

“He’s named Hemming’s son, Evres, as his heir and put out a bounty of a thousand gold griftas to whoever returns Maez safely.”

“So now he cares about Maez?” I asked.

“He could care less about her, I’m sure. He wouldn’t even care about your kingdom at all, Princess, if it wasn’t filled with unclaimed gold. Nero has always maneuvered himself for more power. It’s why he brokered his marriage with the Valtan Princess after her failed engagement.” Grae’s lip curled at the Queen’s word. “He probably thinks if they return Maez, he can carry on with his plans. Perhaps he thinks she’s easier to control, too.” She pursed her lips at Grae, shrugging. “How convenient he has another Gold Wolf in his possession who happens to be her mate.”

I gritted my teeth. In his possession.

“Don’t worry.” She waved her laced-covered hand. “I told the Silver Wolves I heard rumors of you turning southward, that you cut down the Stormcrest Ranges to Valta.”

“Why?”

“Because I despise Nero Claudius and I don’t like Silver Wolves in my kingdom,” she sneered. “More, I won’t let any man say what goes on in Taigos, ever. I won’t alert the Rooks that you are here, either.” Queen Ingrid looked between us. “Payment for your song. If you decide to stay here, that promise will carry. But if you cross into Olmdere, you’re on your own.”

I clasped my hands together, hanging my head. We wouldn’t end up in a dungeon tonight. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome in my court, Calla Marriel.” Queen Ingrid bowed her head back to me. “I suppose you are, too, Graemon, now that you are not Nero’s puppet anymore. I wish you luck.”

And then the Queen of the Ice Wolves left to return to her party as we both stood there, stunned.